McGowan calls on minister to drop a portfolio

The Opposition says WA Health Minister Kim Hames should drop one of his two portfolios.

The Opposition Leader Mark McGowan has called on the Deputy Premier Kim Hames to resign from one of his ministerial portfolios.

Dr Hames currently holds both the health and tourism.

This week he has been forced to defend a spike in ambulance ramping levels and a shortage of cancer specialists and beds at Princess Margaret Hospital.

He has blamed the issues on rapid population growth and a global shortage of qualified staff.

But Mr McGowan says the health system is in crisis because of a lack of attention from the Minister.

"Tourism and health are both big jobs," he said.

"To do both of them is clearly beyond the capacity of Dr Hames.

"Dr Hames is cruising towards retirement, he's indicated he's leaving at the next election. And what we're seeing is health in a state of crisis, and we're seeing tourism suffering as well.

"I'm not saying that Dr Hames has to give up being a minister.

"But clearly he is not doing both jobs properly and I think it's in the interest of the health system that he only do one job, tourism or health, he can't do both. And I think Mr Barnett should take some action."